(This post was copied from the Holy Rosary parish web site and is provided for informational purposes. No authorship is implied.)
These are the facts regarding our current situation with the closure of our church building and the financial status of our community.
There are a lot of rumors and half-truths floating around about Holy Rosary. Please check here for updates as we have them. We will do our best to keep you all updated. If you have questions, or need clarification, please do not hesitate to call the parish office.
Please keep our situation in prayer. Thank you.
In God’s great love, hope, and mercy,
Deacon Jim Fish
Pastoral Coordinator
Holy Rosary and Visitation parishes
What is wrong with the church?
An ongoing roof leak resulting in a section of plaster falling above the choir loft occurred in November 2018.A safety assessment revealed that the present condition creates a danger to occupancy.There are several issues: unreinforced and damaged masonry and mortar, crumbling concrete, and roof structure deficiencies from aging materials, weather, poor water drainage, and water intrusions.These are the reasons for the indefinite closure of the church and the erection of the perimeter fence.The building is no longer safe to enter due to the danger of falling debris.
How much will the repairs cost?
Initial estimates by engineers are in excess of $10 million for needed repairs to the church. While the Archdiocese of Seattle funded the costs of the safety assessment and perimeter fencing, the parish is responsible for all other repair expenses. Additionally, there is currently an estimated $3 million in deferred maintenance costs for our three other buildings: The Convent Meeting Center, the Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy, and the Rectory (Currently inhabited by the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Go-Vap).
How is our overall parish financial situation in light of these pending building expenses?
For the last 7 years, our weekly collections have been in deficit to our planned budget and actual operational expenses.These same years, Holy Rosary parish benefitted from monies raised and/or donated from an attentive donor (recently deceased) and other generous bequests, providing for the shortfalls.
Staff salaries and benefits, business expenses, and utilities comprise 75% of our budget.For January, 2019, we were $15,976 short for the first month of the calendar year.We have approximately $46,000 left in savings.In December 2018, withdrawals from our savings account were made to pay our bills and make payroll.We project, with the current estimation of weekly financial contributions, we will exhaust our savings by the end of June (or possible earlier).
From July 1st on, how will we be able to make payroll or pay our monthly bills?
We need a drastic increase in giving just to support our monthly operating expenses of $29,000. Alongside these challenging financial situations in our parish, we have an obligation to participate in the Archdiocesan-wide 3-year campaign entitled “Called to Serve as Christ” which provides for the retired priests and religious sisters whom have served us with their lives.It will be starting soon with a parish goal of $268,218 over 3 years to fulfill.
In Summary
We are faced with significant and immediate expenses, both short and long-term for Holy Rosary.The decline in contributions to the parish strongly indicate we will have trouble continuing to operate let alone take any steps to make the church accessible or make our needed repairs.
It is the responsibility of the leadership of the parish to develop a plan with your input.We are responsible for our buildings and their maintenance.The Archdiocese stepped up to provide directly for our safety in funding the safety assessment and fence. Many professionals involved donated their time and costs.The Archdiocese of Seattle cannot provide the level of funding needed to make the church building safe nor repair the church.
We, the Pastoral and Finance councils, along with Deacon Jim, are committed to this parish.Our intent to study potential options, however, is complicated greatly by our inability to meet our monthly operational expenses.The Pastoral and Finance Councils want your input on the immediate future of Holy Rosary.We ask for your prayers, and encourage you to collect your thoughts and email them to the parish office at parish@holyrosarytacoma.org
Please know we are praying and are willing to face our difficult situation with responsibility, intelligence, faith, and love.
Deacon Jim Fish – Pastoral Coordinator
John Baker – Chair Pastoral Council
Shelly Copeland – Vice-Chair of Pastoral Council
